Dr Gina Weir-Smith heads the Geospatial Analytics section in the HSRC and holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a Master's degree in GIS from the University of Stellenbosch, and a Diploma in Project Management. Before joining the HSRC, Dr Weir-Smith worked at the Chief Directorate of Surveys and Mapping, where she was responsible for establishing the state land information system.
She has more than 25 years of experience in social science research, especially in the areas of the corporate implementation of GIS, the application of GIS to social science problems, the geography of unemployment, spatial data modelling and project management. She has undertaken projects for organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Department of Social Development, the Department of Human Settlements and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Dr Weir-Smith is the lead author of seven HSRC research reports, co-author of 23 research reports and has read 25 papers at international conferences. She has also been a successful project manager for the projects she was involved in. Currently she serves on the Council of the Society of South African Geographers and is an Honorary Research Fellow at Wits. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, needlecraft and is a chorister.
